Hillsborough: News and Notes

By JOE SMITH AND KEITH NIEBUHR
Published December 22, 2007

Ivy League interest

As one of the country's top junior prospects, Plant quarterback Aaron Murray has received serious attention from programs such as Florida, Boston College, Louisville, North Carolina, Tennessee, USF and Harvard.

That's right, Harvard.

The Crimson recently told Murray, who has a 4.7 grade point average, that they'd love to have him. "Aaron was very flattered, and so was his mother (Lauren Murray)," Plant coach Robert Weiner said "When I texted her that Harvard offered, she said, 'You can stop searching now.' "

Alas, there was a minor hitch.

Harvard doesn't offer monetary athletic scholarships.

"I texted her back that it costs $49,000 a year and she texted back, 'Keep looking,' " Weiner said.

Tigers tackle has transformation

Middleton junior offensive lineman Luis Palanco arrived at the school a year ago from the Dominican Republic having to start from scratch. Tigers coach Harry Hubbard said the 6-foot-4, 240-pound tackle was playing football for the first time. Apparently, he's a quick study. Hubbard said Palanco is getting calls from Pittsburgh and North Carolina A&T, to name a few.

"You always kind of wonder, 'What in the world is going on?' It's still kind of mystery why (Bloomingdale) hasn't been winning. Maybe I can come up with some answers." - New Bloomingdale football coach Jason Stokes on the Bulls' zero winning seasons in 21 years.

Check it out

Catch 47 will broadcast the semifinals and slam dunk contest of the inaugural Tampa Hoops Classic on Dec. 28. So if you can't make it to the USF Sun Dome for the 6 and 8 p.m. starts, turn on the tube.